1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 163.2 x 75.9 x 8.1 mm | The S21 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 227g | 198.5g | The iQOO 12 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less bulky in pockets. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra has superior screen scratch and shatter protection, likely making it more durable over time. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.78" | Negligible difference; both offer a large screen experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1260x2800 | The S21 Ultra has a noticeably sharper and more detailed display, especially for reading text and viewing high-res images. |
| PPI | 515 | 453 | S21 Ultra's higher pixel density results in a finer, more detailed image, making text appear smoother. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The iQOO 12 provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in fast-paced games or UIs. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 3000 nits | iQOO 12 offers superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, ensuring the screen is easily readable. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The iQOO 12's newer chipset provides substantially faster processing speeds and improved power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 2,020,000 | The iQOO 12 delivers dramatically superior performance in daily tasks, gaming, and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | iQOO 12's GPU offers significantly better graphics performance for gaming and video editing. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Lens | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.69, 1/1.3" | S21 Ultra has higher resolution for more detail, while iQOO 12 has a slightly wider aperture and bigger pixel size for better low-light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" | None | S21 Ultra has dedicated Telephoto + Portrait lens, ideal for portrait photos and zoom |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.1" | S21 Ultra provides higher resolution and slightly better light sensitivity, beneficial for selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2" | iQOO 12 offers much higher resolution and a wider aperture for better telephoto images |
| Wide + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76" | iQOO 12 captures more detailed wide-angle photos, and better light sensitivity for low-light macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer high-quality video recording, the S21 Ultra has a wider variety of frame rates available at 4K. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 115 | N/A | S21 Ultra's camera performance is well-documented and rated, while iQOO 12 has no rating. |
| DxOMark Score (Selfie) | 135 | N/A | S21 Ultra's selfie camera performance is well-documented and rated, while iQOO 12 has no rating. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, dependent on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 120W fast charging | The iQOO 12 charges significantly faster, allowing for much quicker top-ups. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging | None | S21 Ultra has wireless charging and reverse wireless charging |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | iQOO 12 has a newer OS with more features and security updates, also has longer support lifetime. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | iQOO 12 has a newer wifi standard for faster connections |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.4 | iQOO 12 has a newer Bluetooth standard for better connectivity and features. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1+L5 | iQOO 12 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | The iQOO 12 has higher storage options (up to 1 TB) for users who need more space. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 12/16 GB | Both offer ample RAM for multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos | Samsung has High-Res audio and noise cancellation, likely providing better quality audio |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both have similar security features. |
| Sensors | Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Gravity | S21 Ultra is equipped with more sensors, specifically for environmental data and advanced gaming controls. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for a more detailed viewing experience.
- Versatile Camera System: Additional telephoto + portrait lens, rated by DxOMark and overall good versatility.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Offers added convenience for charging other devices and ease of charging.
- More Sensors: Includes barometer, hall, and geomagnetic sensors, which can be useful in niche use cases and advanced gaming.
- Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced audio quality and noise cancellation microphone for clear calls and better audio separation
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra is better suited for users who prioritize a premium viewing experience, a versatile camera setup, and wireless charging.
vivo iQOO 12 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU for smoother and faster app usage, gaming, and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 120W fast charging for incredibly quick battery top-ups.
- Brighter Display: Much brighter display for better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Newer OS and Connectivity: Runs on a newer Android version with better support. Also, it features WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for faster, more efficient connections.
- Better Telephoto and Wide Camera: Higher resolution telephoto and better low light performance in wide angle.
- Larger Storage: Up to 1TB storage
- Lighter Design: More comfortable for long term use.
Practical Implications: The iQOO 12 is ideal for gamers and power users who require maximum speed, fast charging, and better outdoor visibility.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra has a higher-resolution display, but the iQOO 12's display is much brighter and has a higher refresh rate.
- The S21 Ultra has a more versatile camera system but the iQOO 12 boasts significantly better image processing performance.
- The S21 Ultra offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, but the iQOO 12 boasts significantly faster wired charging.
- The iQOO 12 is more powerful, but it lacks some of the extra sensors that the S21 Ultra includes, which may be important for niche users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a versatile and reliable camera system with multiple lenses and high image quality.
- Media Consumers: Users who appreciate a sharp, detailed display for viewing high-resolution content and prefer a premium viewing experience.
- Wireless Charging Users: Individuals who prioritize the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities for on-the-go power.
- Audio Quality Enthusiasts: Individuals who prioritize High-Res audio and a noise-canceling microphone
Specific Use Cases:
- Professional or semi-professional photography and videography.
- Watching high-resolution movies and videos with attention to detail and visual fidelity.
- Charging other devices on the go.
- Clear voice recording and quality music playback
vivo iQOO 12 Ideal User:
- Mobile Gamers: Users who need top-tier performance and a fast refresh rate for smooth gameplay.
- Power Users: Individuals who demand maximum processing power for multitasking, demanding apps, and video editing.
- Frequent Travelers: Users who need a phone that charges quickly and can be easily seen outdoors.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who desire the latest and fastest connectivity options.
- Users with large media libraries: User who need a high storage capacity for their photos and videos.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously without slowdowns.
- Rapidly charging the phone between activities.
- Using the phone outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Storing a large amount of photos, videos, and games on the phone
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iQOO 12 generally provides higher value for its price point, offering top tier performance and charging at a lower cost than the S21 Ultra's original price.
- The S21 Ultra may be found at a lower price in the used market, making it an interesting contender for users looking to save money.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize raw performance and speed, or a more versatile camera and display? (iQOO 12 excels in speed, S21 Ultra in camera and display)
- Is fast charging essential, or would you benefit more from wireless charging capabilities? (iQOO 12 has 120W, S21 Ultra has wireless)
- Are you a power user, gamer or content creator? (iQOO 12 for power users, S21 Ultra for content creators)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Power Use
- Recommendation: The vivo iQOO 12 is the clear choice due to its superior performance, faster charging, and a smoother display.
- Scenario 2: Photography and Media Consumption
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is better suited for its superior camera versatility, more detailed display, and wireless charging.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious Buyer
- Recommendation: If the budget is a primary concern, the S21 Ultra may be found at a lower price than the iQOO 12.
Personal Choice and Explanation
If I had to choose, I would go with the vivo iQOO 12.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts a very good camera system, the sheer power of the iQOO 12's chipset and its dramatically faster charging are more attractive to me. As someone who values fast performance for both daily use and gaming, the iQOO 12's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip is a huge advantage. The significantly faster 120W charging is also a major convenience for my usage patterns. While I might miss some of the niche sensor capabilities and the wireless charging on the S21 Ultra, the iQOO 12's overall package aligns better with my priorities. The improved refresh rate and brighter display, along with the latest software, make for an overall more enjoyable user experience.
